The 2010 World Savers Awards: Australia

undefined

THE BIG NEWS You can even go luxe in the bush. With deserts, wetlands, and everything in between, Australia is at the front line of climate change, and a wave of luxurious new hotels offers sustainability for nature lovers who don’t want to rough it. The city of Melbourne aims to go carbon neutral by 2020, and the Alto Hotel on Bourke (Winner, Environmental Preservation) is proving that it can be done. The carbon–neutral hotel is so eco–friendly that Al Gore’s staff stayed there when the green guru came to town in 2009 for a Climate Project Summit (61–3–8608–5500; doubles, $148–$200).

THE PLACE Up in the air. Qantas (Honorable Mention, Environmental Preservation and Poverty Relief) has amazing service, with wine choices even in coach; recycles 8.5 million bottles and cans annually; and raised $1.6 million for UNICEF’s Change for Good program in 2009.

THE CRUISE Go diving in Papua New Guinea and the Spice Islands with Australia’s Orion Expedition Cruises (Honorable Mention, Education), which donates money for local schools and educational materials.

THE VISIONARY Joost Heymeijer—GM of the Wolgan Valley Resort, in the Greater Blue Mountain World Heritage Area (not among this year’s winners) is a master of sustainable luxury, filling plunge pools with rainwater and planting 195,000 trees. “The hardest part,” says Heymeijer, “is getting the balance between what is financially viable and what is best for the environment” (61–2–9290–9733; doubles, $1,700, including meals).